Wood extends lead to four shots over Clarke and Lowry in Iberdrola Open

Chris Wood shot a 1-under 69 to extend his lead to four strokes after Saturday’s third round of the European Tour’s Iberdrola Open.

The 23-year-old English player started with a birdie 3 at the first and saved back-to-back pars after another birdie at the par-5 10th. The only fault on a steady day was a bogey 5 at the 14th as he took his overall tally to 9-under 201 to improve his overnight lead by one.

Shane Lowry equaled the Pula Golf Club course record with a 7-under 63 to trail alongside Darren Clarke (70) of Northern Ireland at 5-under 205.

An eagle 3 at the sixth propelled Lowry, who managed six birdies and a single bogey to jump 28 spots and into contention as Wood seeks his first victory.

“It was one of those days when it all happened quickly and I was off and running,” Lowry said.

Spain’s Jose Maria Olazabal, who designed the course at Pula GC, managed five birdies after a bogey 5 at No. 3 to go 4 under after his round of 66.

French player Gregory Bourdy, who set the course record Friday, overcame a second-round 77 to sit alongside David Lynn (71) and Scott Jamieson (69) at 3 under after shooting 67.

Thomas Aiken’s 66 moved him seven back of Wood as the South African follows up his win at last week’s Spanish Open.

European Tour rookie Matthew Dixon, playing in the final group with Wood, stumbled to a 6-over 76 to drop 10 shots back.